Foreword: A podcast of Island Readers & Writers

Dan Mills, director of the Bates Museum of Art, talks about the exhibition "Let's Celebrate Ashley Bryan!", featuring his fine art and original illustrations. Dan talks about Ashley's life and career, and how to view the exhibition virtually. Listen to the interview then view the exhibition here: https://www.bates.edu/museum/ashley-bryan/

Gibson Fay-LeBlanc, writer, poet and executive director of the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance, talks challenges facing writers today, tips for beginning writers, great kids' books coming out of the Maine publishing scene and more! 

Kara Reiman, children's literacy specialist at the Maine State Library (MSL), talks about the challenges librarians are facing during the pandemic, how the MSL supports schools and families, and more! 

Author Elizabeth Atkinson talks about her latest middle-grade novel, "Fly Back, Agnes," which was awarded the 2020 International Book Award for Children's Fiction; overcoming the struggles of middle school and how she comes up with her quirky characters.

 

For "Fly Back, Agnes" readers who want to read the special epilogue to the story, and educators who would like to Zoom with Elizabeth, visit her website at elizabethatkinson.com or email her at authorelizabethatkinson@gmail.com

Author Abdi Nor Iftin discusses his harrowing adolescence as a refugee in Somalia and Kenya, the unexpected injustices he discovered living in the United States and his memoir, Call Me American, recently adapted for middle-graders and young adults.

Author Anica Mrose Rissi talks about her newly-published young adult novel Nobody Knows But You, shares her tips for writing and reads part of her most recent picture book Love, Sophia on the Moon.

Island Readers & Writers (IRW) volunteer and children's book lover Jenna Beaulieu shares her picks featured on our summer reading list: A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Joy McCullough; The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu; and Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang. 

Dr. Debra Lay, IRW Board of Directors president and library director of the Vose Public Library, talks the power of books, her career as an educator and library director, and the book that shaped her adolescence.

Val Peacock, education design specialist with the nonprofit organization Rural Aspirations Project, talks about Community Learning for ME, a collaborative effort that aims to support students, families and educators during the uncertainty surrounding education in the time of the pandemic. Online resources and professional development opportunities available at www.communitylearningforme.org. 

Maine author/ illustrator Russ Cox talks about how his career as an illustrator began, his illustration process, and the benefits of destroying a new sketchbook.